Book Description
From the gray wolf and the dingo to the South American bush dog and the whistling hunter, this book covers the wild dogs that have been free spirits on every continent except Antarctica and have thrived in all environments. Described are dogs that roam free over the planet, the hottest and driest parts of Africa and Australia, the wettest forests of New Guinea and South America, and the coldest parts of the Arctic Circle. This up-to-date account discusses the skills, personalities, and lifestyles of these dogs. It includes information on wolves, foxes, coyotes, jackals, and dingoes, as well as details about rare dogs such as the dhole and the South American bush dog. Also provided are insights into the extraordinary group coherence of wild dogs; their faithfulness and intelligence; their ability to learn, remember, and solve problems; and what they have in common with domesticated dogs.
Customer Reviews:
The Common Ground Among Canines.......2006-02-19
While I found the book to be informative and interesting, and I certainly don't regret buying it, it was somewhat different from what I had expected. I had expected the pages to devote more individual time to each specific canine species. Instead, the chapters were dedicated to exploring some of the characteristics shared among the canines (Intelligent behavior, Communication, etc.). I guess it wasn't as comprehensively expository of each species as I wanted it to be, but a good read nonetheless.
Good info...........2006-01-29
even if written to an 8th-grade reader's level. A long time canine fan, I learned a thing or two from this book that I hadn't run across elsewhere. If you're a dog fan, you'll want to know more about their wild canine relatives.
Their spirit lives on........2003-09-03
This book posed a few intriguing questions for me, in which animal lovers, biologists, social theorists and others might also be interested. The authors have backgrounds in animal behaviour, neuroscience in animals, and animal communication, cognition and welfare.
Dogs belong to the family Canidae, ground-living carnivores with around 36 species, although some of these species interbreed. The lineage is around 40-50 million years old, originating in North America. They reached Europe around 5-7 million years ago, where the well known grey wolf is though to have evolved, who then passed back into North America, amongst other places, around 700,000 years ago. All domestic dogs appear to derive from one ancestral species-Canus lupus-the grey wolf. Latest evidence suggests dogs were first domesticated around 135,000 years ago, perhaps as old as early homo sapien (p12).
A variety of wild dog characteristics can be found in the domestic versions, with some notable exceptions.
Short-sightedness is probably a domestic trait only (p45). All dogs move their ears and head around to pinpoint location-originally location of prey. Domestic dogs have two photopigments in their eyes, unlike humans with three, meaning they are slightly colour blind (compared to us). Smell is, of course, well developed, and they can tell which direction an animal/person was moving-an important hunting ability (p49). Wild pups must not stray from the den, and so domesticates can reasonably learn to stay at home. Howling (in wolves) is used to increase distances between clans and individuals. (I think there is more here-sex?, hunting prospects?, group development?). Sniffing in all dogs is intimately related to pair bonding and territorial marking. There is a variety of vocalisation forms in wild dogs, such as short distance barks, yelps, and whining, with some co-opted for dog-human communication-eg human sentence upwards inflections reflect some whining communication, etc. Barking, though variable in type and frequency, occurs in all canids, despite common misconceptions. Regurgitating food to the young is also common to all canids (I have a collie who as a puppy managed to steal my dinner from my mouth once-totally innocently of course).
Grey wolves, as opposed to some other canids, have a strong vertical social structure. Occasionally submissiveness is ignored by a superior, due to hierarchal threat, or occasionally the inferior won't submit, and an individual may occasionally be forced out of a clan entirely (sound familiar? p94).
Also of interest is that African wild dogs have a flatter social structure than grey wolves, which appears to be proportional to their `harsher' environment-that is, elements of in-group competition and in-group rivalry are reduced when conditions become more hazardous-group hierarchy in this sense is an evolved 'luxury', so to speak (p103-104). (This idea has interesting implications to social inequality in humans). Also, species which have a high degree of predatory enemies have less infighting and high co-operation rates (p141). Also of note is that an African wild dog rejected by its clan has little chance of survival from both predators and through stress-induced immune deficiency.
In a social hierarchy, ritualised and stereotyped acts are common (sound familiar?). Sometimes a group of young males may turn on an alpha male and expel or kill him (sound familiar)?. Interestingly, being an alpha male may not relate to being the best hunter-appearance, confidence and adherence to social rituals give social status, not killing/athletic success.
In many clans every female comes into oestrus at the same time, and pseudo pregnancies also occur in females within a clan, where they produce milk and may even suckle pups not of their own-obviously a group survival strategy (p114). (It is not clear whether this only occurs in related individuals-selfish gene theorists take note!). Higher levels of oestrogen in African wild dogs create more male pups in their litters (p117). I am also aware that sometimes pups within a litter have different fathers.
The larger the pack the larger the prey that is hunted (p123). Dingos in Australia also use deception in hunting. Interestingly, wolves in captivity are known to watch gatekeepers open latches and learn to do this themselves, whilst domesticates generally do not (p147). Also, wolves wait until the coast is clear before attempting to escape. This 'escape intelligence' has obviously been somewhat nullified by domestication. However, wolves are not willing to learn tricks, unlike domesticates. Dogs are also better than chimps in reading a persons eyes-a trait of group hunting (p158-9). 'Glancing' is observed in dogs between food bowls and owners, or between balls and owners.
It is also suggested that human smell is so poor partly because we have used dogs for hunting in our recent evolutionary history (p165-6). (It has even been suggested elsewhere that language may have been facilitated by this reduction in our need for smell, whereby flatter faces and the migration of the larynx to the back of the throat increased vocalisation range).
The future of the wild dog is unclear. It is stated that many rehabilitation and reintroduction programs of all species fail due to problems with animal behaviour-eg they haven't learnt to hunt, they lack predator cognition, they don't follow park boundaries etc. It appears group species like the wolf are less likely to survive in closer contact with humans than the more parasitic and solitary species such as foxes, coyotes, and also cats. (Once group habits are fractured, group species tend to perish). I like to think the 'spirit of the wild dog', so to speak, `knows' this (or in Darwinian form-a portion of the gene pool has been selected)-and so lives on within the human group. Maybe the unfairly expelled wolf from the pack lives on today in my lounge room.
Opportunity, adaptability, co-operation, humility, wildness-we have much to learn from them.
Customer Reviews:
Was a very informative book on the world's wild dogs.......1999-07-23
Was a very good book on wild canids from all over the world. Tells where wild dogs live, what they eat, their breeding habits, if the species is under threat and why, and lists alot of species I've never even heard of.
Book Description
Scotland contains some of Britain's finest wilderness, from rushing rivers to the surging seas. Take to the wilds or follow in the footsteps of legend as you make your way across an exhilirating range of landscapes. There are highlands to hike and islands to explore, with castles, cottages, and friendly pubs. Whether you want to climb Bens or wander through glens, ancient Scotland is a land of adventure for every walker.
66 detailed trail descriptions for walkers of all levels.
Coasts, Climbs, and Canals color section outlining the variety of Scottish walking.
Two-color contour maps for all featured walks.
Essential accomodation and transport information.
Expert advice on equipment, health, and environmentally responsible walking.
Customer Reviews:
Better options available.......2007-09-12
I found this book remarkably unhelpful. It was often maddeningly difficult to figure out which map went with which walk, and the walks were not described very clearly. Once I got to Scotland, there was a wealth of great walking books available everywhere, including the wonderful Cicerone guides, and the Pathfinder series published by the Ordinance Survey company, maker of the great topo maps in the UK. I ended up leaving my Lonely Planet guide in a cafe (on purpose), and using my newly purchased local guidebooks instead. The Cicerone and Pathfinder books are available on Amazon, and I highly recommend you skip the Lonely Planet and use these other books.
Excellent Resource for Planning Your Walk in Scotland.......2006-05-08
"Walking in Scotland" is like many Lonely Planet guides: packed with useful information in a compact form. Scotland is a superb environment for walking, with a surprising amount of beautiful, even wild areas which offer a huge variety of potential hikes, from easy day hikes to multi-day treks.
"Walking in Scotland" starts with an introduction to Scotland itself, with short descriptions of climate, terrain, and history. This guide includes a run-down on the practicalities of travelling to and around Scotland.
The bulk of the guide covers Scotland by region, with short sections for urban walking in Glasgow and Edinbugh, and much longer sections on the Highlands and Northwest Scotland. The longer routes such as the West Highland Way and the more popular areas such as Glen Coe and the Cairngorms are included. The walking sections include descriptions and diagrams of the more interesting routes, along with tips on local history, transportation, and accomodation. The guide is sprinkled with a few well-chosen photographs that provide a sense of scale for the terrain in Scotland.
This guide provides more than sufficient information for a traveler to plan a walking vacation in Scotland. Walkers are advised to follow the advice of the guide and pick up more detailed maps once in Scotland. Ordnance Survey and other brands are readily available in Information Centers and Sporting Goods stores in Scotland. Weather conditions are highly variable in Scotland and the lack of a detailed map may leave the walker literally stranded in the fog in some areas.
The downside of the compact size of this guide is that some of the maps and diagrams are so small as to be a challenge to read in anything but good light.
This guide is highly recommended to those contemplating a walking vacation in Scotland.
Compact encyclopaedia for independent walkers.......2002-04-02
For independent walkers planning a trip to Scotland, this book is a portable encyclopaedia. It covers a huge range, from easy walks to exposed ridge-walks and mountain ascents, from a short half-day hike to the Southern Upland Way (two weeks).
As you would expect from Lonely Planet, the authors are strong on environmental issues and thorough on practical information. In 408 pages of densely-packed text they cover the whole of Scotland; the secret of easy access is to use their handy 4-page table of walks organised by region. There is a useful index and glossary, and each walk is supported by a small-scale contour map.
It seems churlish to criticise such a worthy volume for offering too much, but do walkers really need so much detailed data? Price and contact information obsolesce very quickly, as LP clearly knows, and such crowded pages are hard to read in poor light or on a train. You need two strong hands to hold the book open, and even so the gutter is so narrow that you lose the ends of lines of text. As a one-stop resource for walking in Scotland, however, this book is superb value.
Book Description
From ancient trails in southern England and coastal paths in Wales, to windswept moors in northern England and mountain ascents in Scotland, your opportunities for walking in Britain are as varied as the landscapes, people and cultures of this island.
Over 50 detailed descriptions for walkers of all levels.
Ridges, Rivers & Romans color section outlining the range of walking options in Britain.
Foreward by Christine Elliott, chief executive of the Ramblers' Association.
Two-color maps for all featured walks.
Essential accommodation and transport information.
Expert advice on equipment, health and environmentally responsible walking.
Customer Reviews:
Walking in England? This is for you.......2000-08-30
Picture this. I have spent money and time in finding the right routes. I have just come in from a day walking in Snowdonia and I'm sitting down to eat in a YHA. The man next to me is from Romania. He has just arrived and is equipped with one book which he lets me read. In this book I find all of the best bits of my favourite walks. There is something for everybody and it is very informative. I would have saved loads of money and wasted hours on trips that were not really what I wanted - IF I HAD READ THIS BOOK. Buy it even if you are a resident of the UK and think you know it all already (like me!)
Absolutely recommended for your walking trip in England!.......1999-04-18
This book provides information on numerous walks, both long and short distance, in England, complete with maps, daily distance recommendations, accommodation. A great core guide to help plan your excursion and take with you.
A good introduction to hiking in all areas of Great Britain........1998-07-11
A good resource for both single and multi-day hikes in all areas of Great Britain. Text is divided into regional sub-sections, making it easy to match your reading to the areas you plan to visit. A fair number of the most popular or readily accessible hikes in each region are thoroughly described. A biblography at the end of each regional section recommends sources of more detailed information about walking in a given area. Detailed listing of "support services": food, lodging, transportation for each listed walk.
The book is small sized, and easily packable, yet the print is easily legible and the pages sturdy enough to withstand traveling and frequent referencing.
A good starting place for hikers not familiar with the area.
A good introduction to hiking in all areas of Great Britain........1998-07-11
A good resource for both single and multi-day hikes in all areas of Great Britain. Text is divided into regional sub-sections, making it easy to match your reading to the areas you plan to visit. A fair number of the most popular or readily accessible hikes in each region are thoroughly described. A biblography at the end of each regional section recommends sources of more detailed information about walking in a given area. Detailed listing of "support services": food, lodging, transportation for each listed walk.
The book is small sized, and easily packable, yet the print is easily legible and the pages sturdy enough to withstand traveling and frequent referencing.
A good starting place for hikers not familiar with the area.
Average customer rating:
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The Magic of the Cotswold Way (Lonely Planet Walking Guides)
Mollie Harris
Manufacturer: Alan Sutton Publishing,
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The Cotswold Way "A Walkers Map" (Walkabout)
ASIN: 0750911891 |
Book Description
In this part guide book, part travel book, the author relates the adventures she and her daughter-in-law enjoyed on the 93-mile route from Chipping Campden in the north to Bath in the South.
Book Description
This practical new guide makes Ireland's astounding diversity accessible to the experienced walker and the beginner alike. From spectacular coastal tracks and hill walks to ancient ruins, country lanes and the byways of Dublin, this book describes the best in a county made for walking.
- 65 walks in the Republic and Northern Ireland, including day trips and waymarked ways
- practical information on transport, accommodation and equipment
- detailed contour maps derived from Ordnance Survey data
- guide to Ireland's unique walking festivals
- background on history and culture
Customer Reviews:
Out of Date.......2005-07-11
I found this book to be very out of date, especially in terms of walking paths, pricing and logistics. I went to Dingle, and found that the hostel they highly recommend as having a free shuttle no longer has a free shuttle or friendly/knowledgeable service. I went on the three day Dingle walk that they outline, and the path had changed (and been changed for several years) and we got quite lost several times by following the directions in the books. The hostels that they indicate offer food no longer exist or don't offer food, and they don't mention anything about how easy it is to find someone to shuttle your baggage from walk to walk. Very disappointed.
Compact encyclopaedia for independent walkers.......2002-04-02
For independent walkers planning a trip to Ireland, this portable encyclopaedia is good value. It covers a huge range, from a scenic two-hour stroll to the 122-mile Kerry Way (nine days), from easy walks to some tough mountain circuits. As you would expect from Lonely Planet, the authors are strong on environmental issues and thorough on practical information.
In 424 well-filled pages they cover the whole island of Ireland, both the Republic and Ulster (part of the UK). The secret of easy access is to use their handy 4-page table of walks organised by region. There is a good index and glossary, and even the boxed text and maps are indexed. Each walk is supported by a small-scale contour map (intended for planning purpose only). As a one-stop resource for walking in Ireland, this book is unrivalled.
Walking in Ireland.......2000-05-18
The Lonely Planet guides are always an honest,open an informative and this is no different. The book gives you detailed information on walks giving you directions such as "100m to the left of the pier" and so on. I find with details like that it's pretty hard to get lost! There is also general information on travelling in Ireland, places to stay, where to eat, what's worth seeing and places to avoid if you want to be in a less visited area. The only thing I would like to see is a little more information on day walks. Many people want day walks around Killarny and Dingle and from the information in the book I'm not sure how to divide up some of the week long walks in to day hikes for people who don't have a week for walking
Average customer rating:
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The Taff Trail: Official Guide (Lonely Planet Walking Guides)
Jeff Vinter
Manufacturer: Alan Sutton Publishing, Ltd.
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ASIN: 0750903414 |
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Walking on the Yorkshire Coast (Lonely Planet Walking Guides)
J.Brian Beadle
Manufacturer: Trailblazer Publishing
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ASIN: 189900405X |
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Walking to Crosses to the North York Moors (Lonely Planet Walking Guides)
J.Brian Beadle
Manufacturer: Trailblazer Publishing
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ASIN: 1899004238 |
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Short Walks Around Yorkshire's Coast and Country (Lonely Planet Walking Guides)
J.Brian Beadle
Manufacturer: Trailblazer Publishing
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ASIN: 1899004203 |
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Ten Scenic Routes Around Rosedale, Farndale and Hutton Le Hole (Lonely Planet Walking Guides)
J.Brian Beadle
Manufacturer: Trailblazer Publishing
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ASIN: 1899004297 |
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